A proposed new highway through northern Cameron County could force officials to buy private property from landowners along the route.

The outer parkway would stretch more than 20 miles, starting at I-69E north of Harlingen and heading east. It would eventually create another route from the upper Rio Grande Valley toward South Padre Island.

Officials are currently looking at different options for where to put it. They say they don't yet know which properties would be affected.

"There will be property owners that are impacted, and each one will be impacted in a different manner," Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority Executive Director Pete Sepulveda said. "But at the end of the day, there will be a number of parcels that will need to be acquired, so yes, property owners will be impacted."

Officials say they want to hear from people who live and own land in the area before making any decisions. That feedback could help determine where the highway goes and what areas to avoid.

The preliminary price tag for the entire project is about $350 million. That covers everything from planning and buying land to building the highway.

Officials say the environmental review alone could take about two years.

A public meeting is scheduled Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rio Hondo Civic Center. People can look at the plans, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Additional details on the project are available online.

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